2022 State Farm Holiday Classic

[DannyCooksey]

What I will report to everyone was Pedon stayed and watched the Central vs Uhigh game. After it was over I was waiting for my buddy and Pedon walked by so I said, " hey coach" we all chatted for a second and then as we were leaving Pedon went over and gave a hug to Certa and to talk to him.

Certa has a nice quick shot and played better defense then what I had heard. Uhigh faced guarded Certa which kinda took him out of the game. Seemed like every bump Certa was calling for the official and a foul. As the kid can really shoot it if he is going to be successful at a Penn State then he needs to hit the weight room a little. With that said I the thought of Kinziger bringing the ball up the floor, Pence running the baseline as Walker sets a screen for Certa at the top of key to hit the game winner has crossed my mind. Certa coming of screens with the other talent that we have coming in is very intriguing.

Hopefully Certa sees things the same way. Add a stretch 4 to this group and that’s a strong starting 5

 

[Buffett1]

U High has played in the large school bracket for a long time. Not sure if this is their first time in small school field or not.

 

[Adunk33]

U High has played in the large school bracket for a long time. Not sure if this is their first time in small school field or not.

The classifications for the fields really don’t make much sense year to year. Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin won the small school boys bracket last year. Then they won the 3A title. This year, they are the 1 seed in the Large school and playing for the championship tonight against Romeoville.

I’ll have more after this CCHS game but they lead Rockford Lutheran 31-28 at halftime in the third place game. Certa has 2 point. Noticeably frustrated by the face guard D. When he gets the ball, he gets doubled and finds the open man. It’s led to quite a bit of open layups and 3’s for the saints.

 

[Buffett1]

50. - 47 Saints. 1:30 left

 

[Bird Friend]

Quote me where I said don’t recruit the small school guys Waiting….

and. The State Farm Holiday Classic

Paraphrasing. Hold your breath.

 

[Buffett1]

Paraphrasing. Hold your breath.

why are you in the vicinity?

so you can’t.
Big Hat no Cattle

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

6’9” Hank Alvey just hit the winning shot to move Illini Bluffs into the championship game of the Macomb Western Holiday Tournament. He finished with 27. Yesterday Illini Bluffs beat #1 seed Rockridge . Tonight IB will play either Eureka or Augusta Southeastern and Danny Stephens for the championship.

 

[Birdswin]

6’9” Hank Alvey just hit the winning shot to move Illini Bluffs into the championship game of the Macomb Western Holiday Tournament. He finished with 27. Yesterday Illini Bluffs beat #1 seed Rockridge . Tonight IB will play either Eureka or Augusta Southeastern and Danny Stephens for the championship.

Well, Alvey got a HUGE amount of protection from the refs in that game. The fouls disparity was 19-8 with less than a minute to go. Alvey did not get called for one charging or moving screen foul. Refs just overlooked a lot of things.

 

[Adunk33]

Central Catholic hung on in OT to capture 3rd place in the Small School Boys bracket.

I believe Certa had 11. He was flustered with the way Rock Island was defending him. As mentioned above, he was face guarded and the doubled when he got the ball. He didn't shoot well from the line, I had him 2-5. I wish I would've gotten to see the 47 point game to really get a sense of his shooting. His stroke does look good and wherever he ends up, colleges aren't going to face guard/double team like that. His college roll seems to be more of a spot up shooter type. Come off screens and hit the open shots. A couple observations from the U-High game last night, it really seemed like he was forcing too much. He was trying to follow up a stellar game with another and not let the game come to him. He kind of reminded me of Ty from last Holiday Classic. Ty was very much just getting his shots up last year, and this year is much more purposeful about when to pick his spots. I noted that he is quick and did a nice job of getting to the rim but he didn't finish through contact. I had heard there is a concern about his defense and I did notice that last night and this afternoon. He just really doesn't seem interested on that side of the ball. The one other recurring theme that can and likely will improve over the next year is his overall demeanor/maturity. There were times when there was contact on a play and no call, he'd throw his hands up and look at the refs. At times, if a whistle was blown against him, he reacted a similar way. A year can do a lot for a kid, as it did for Ty. I look forward to seeing him mature because offensively, his stuff is there, just need to put the pieces together.

As for Ty, last night they played Rockford Lutheran (who Central Catholic beat this morning). I had him down for 25 but they key point of the game was a game saving block with 3.6 seconds to play. He struggled a bit in the first half but, like the EPG game on Wednesday, just really found his groove in the second. Though Ty mightily contributed to the win, POG for that one goes to his teammate, jr G Logan Smith. I believe he had the first 10 (finished with 25) and really stepped up when the Rock Luth D was keyed in on Ty. Kasukbe, McChesney and Sandage were there the whole game cheering him on. Pedon came in towards the end. Afterwards, it was nice to see Ty go and talk with a couple of his future teammates. He went up and talked with Pedon as well.

Ty (averaging 30.3 ppg in the tournament) and the Spartans take on U-High tonight in the Small School Boys Championship set to tip around 5:15. If you are in the area, I'd recommend checking it out. Should be a good one. U-High plays as a well oiled machine and doesn't really have that "go to guy." Almost anyone can step up for them.

NCHS won the consolation bracket for Large School Boys. All I have seen is that Jaheem had 23 points and 7 boards. The Iron appear to be getting hot as they are 4-1 since Roman came back from his injury. That'll be a team to keep an eye of for Birds fans since there is interest in 3 of their players.

Through the tournament: Walker averaged 4.5, Roman averaged 11.5, and Webber 17.

 

[Dmills]

NCHS won the consolation bracket for Large School Boys. All I have seen is that Jaheem had 23 points and 7 boards. The Iron appear to be getting hot as they are 4-1 since Roman came back from his injury. That'll be a team to keep an eye of for Birds fans since there is interest in 3 of their players.

Roman had 13 against Oswego. The website for the tournament posts the box scores to the games. Pretty much just shows the point totals, but just letting you know! You've done a great job tracking the stats and scores and appreciate your detailed insight.

 

[Adunk33]

Roman had 13 against Oswego. The website for the tournament posts the box scores to the games. Pretty much just shows the point totals, but just letting you know! You've done a great job tracking the stats and scores and appreciate your detailed insight.

Thanks for sharing that! I knew they had in the past but for whatever reason was struggling to find them. I have now. Good to know I've been getting Ty's points right

 

[DannyCooksey]

Great info. Thank you

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

Well, Alvey got a HUGE amount of protection from the refs in that game. The fouls disparity was 19-8 with less than a minute to go. Alvey did not get called for one charging or moving screen foul. Refs just overlooked a lot of things.

They overlooked a helluva lot yesterday when my grandson got hurt agains Rockridge. He’s out indefinitely and was averaging 13 per game.

 

[Dmills]

Thanks for sharing that! I knew they had in the past but for whatever reason was struggling to find them. I have now. Good to know I've been getting Ty's points right

Sorry, I meant to post the link sounds like you found it. Here it is anyways for yesterday's games just in case. Game Results

 

[Buffett1]

Brent Academy vs Chicago Simeon Pontiac Holiday Final

 

[Adunk33]

Ty played a stellar final game. Tied at half, he took over in the 3Q scoring 18 (or 19) points. He just let the game come to him. This time, it was the three ball, which he hit 4 in a row in the 3Q. He ended with 32 points and 15 boards, named to the all-tournament team along with Certa.

After seeing Ty play 4 times in as many days, at the level he is at, he can take over a game at any time. Which he did against EPG, Rockford Lutheran, and St. Joe. It wasn’t needed in his first game. He lets the game decide if he should hurt you from the outside or the post. The hype will be real and the jump to D1 will take some time to adjust but damn, I’m excited by what I saw this week.

I hope y’all found some value in this. Going to this tournament is an annual tradition and I look forward to it even more that the Birds are recruiting some of the kids in the area.

 

[DannyCooksey]

Thank you Adunk33. I enjoy the info you give here. Great stuff

 

[SgtHulka]

Thank you Adunk33. I enjoy the info you give here. Great stuff

Ditto! Great stuff!

 

[Bird Friend]

why are you in the vicinity?

so you can’t.
Big Hat no Cattle

 

[isuquinndog]

The classifications for the fields really don’t make much sense year to year. Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin won the small school boys bracket last year. Then they won the 3A title. This year, they are the 1 seed in the Large school and playing for the championship tonight against Romeoville.

I’ll have more after this CCHS game but they lead Rockford Lutheran 31-28 at halftime in the third place game. Certa has 2 point. Noticeably frustrated by the face guard D. When he gets the ball, he gets doubled and finds the open man. It’s led to quite a bit of open layups and 3’s for the saints.

Just so you know they just take the largest 16 schools and that’s the large school class and the rest are small school. They don’t use IHSA classes at all. They just try and keep it balanced as best they can each year.